What is the 4/20 Holiday?
4/20 (pronounced "four-twenty") is an annual, globally recognized holiday celebrated on April 20th (4/20 in U.S. date format) that centers on marijuana culture. On this day, cannabis enthusiasts gather for festivals, rallies, smoke-outs, and advocacy events to celebrate marijuana use and campaign for its legalization where it remains prohibited
Origins of 4/20
The origins of 4/20 trace back to the early 1970s in California. The most widely accepted story involves a group of high school friends known as "the Waldos" from San Rafael High School. They would meet at 4:20 p.m. to smoke cannabis and search for a rumored hidden crop. The term "420" became their code for marijuana, eventually spreading through the Grateful Dead community and into wider cannabis culture
. Other theories-such as 420 being a police code for marijuana or a reference to Bob Dylan's music-have been debunked or are less widely accepted
How is 4/20 Celebrated?
- Public gatherings in parks and city centers for group smoke sessions
- Festivals, concerts, and rallies advocating for cannabis legalization
- Special sales and promotions at dispensaries and cannabis retailers
- Cultural events, art shows, and themed parties
- In some places, breweries and restaurants offer 4/20-themed products
Significance
4/20 has evolved from a secret code among friends into a symbol of unity and advocacy for marijuana legalization. It is not an official or "Hallmark" holiday, but rather a grassroots celebration deeply rooted in cannabis culture and activism
